Madeline was raised in an orphanage in the Bronx, she says in some ways, the Mansion feels like an orphanage on the other side of life, she says the staff are a lot nicer than the nuns who ruled her orphanage. When we were hanging a donated painting by the artist Rachel Barlow in her room, I saw New York Times crossword puzzles all over the place.

It was no big deal to find two books of puzzles, Madeline was surprised and delighted, she tried to pay me for them, but I said no. She said she loves puzzles. Madeline has added a great deal to the Mansion, she is in her mid-90’s but active, cheerful and non-complaining.

I was present on here first day there, she seems very much at home. She has the New Yorker’s feistiness and wit, and a dry but sharp sense of humor. She devours these puzzles, she says they keep her mind sharp, and her mind is quite sharp. I handed her the books, and when I left she had her pencil out and was already filling in the squares. If you wish, you can write to Madeline, c/oMadeline, The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.